Tulane study: Statins can also age stem cells

Cholesterol-lowering statins that fight heart disease can also prematurely age stem cells, according to Tulane University researchers. That could lead to memory loss, muscle problems and an increased risk for diabetes, their report said.

The study authored by Reza Izadpanah, Deborah Schächtele, Andreas Pfnür, Dong Lin, Douglas Slakey and Philip Kadowitz was published online in the American Journal of Physiology- Cell Physiology.

They researched the impact of clinical doses of two popular statins on blood and tissue samples from adult donors in different age groups. They extracted stem cells within the samples to see how the drugs affected their development into immune cells that play a critical role in the formation and breakdown of plaque that clogs arteries and leads to heart disease.

Researchers found that statins prevented stem cells from turning into macrophages, which can decrease inflammation and improve plaque stability in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, statins also prevented the stem cells from becoming beneficial bone and cartilage cells. Statins also increased stem cell aging and death rates, reducing their DNA repair abilities. The effect was more pronounced in the samples from older donors, the age group most likely to use statins.

“Statins significantly diminish the ability of stem cells to grow and differentiate into new adult body cells,” said Dr. Eckhard Alt, director of cardiovascular research for the Tulane Heart and Vascular Institute. “For example, in the brain, the lack of new nerve cells could result in memory loss and forgetfulness; in joints, the lack of cartilage renewal could lead to the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis.”

Patients should evaluate the benefits and risks associated with statins as they discuss heart disease prevention with their doctors, Alt said.